1

If you have two weeks I would spend a week in each place.A week is a good introduction to Paris...much better than trying to rush around and se everything in 3 days as many first timers do.

If you have the budget hiring a car and driving around Provence for a week would be a great way to see something of that that region too.

I wouldn't try to fit Bruges in too...as you say its in the wrong direction,and there are plenty of worthwhile places to see in France without trying to squeeze in other countries as well......

2

I agree with the above, with two weeks just two places.

You might also consider the Burgandy area. The area around Beaune. Here are some pictures that may tempt you: http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=france&thread=5227&page=1#126766

Spend more time on that web site, there are more photo essays of other areas of France and Paris that may stir your interest: http://anyportinastorm.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=france

3

Great! Thanks so much! Any opinion on which we should do first? Paris or Provence?

4

Not much difference.Personally I would go to Paris first,because i like it more.Mind you I might never make it to provence ;-)

5

lucapal, I have to agree with you on that.

6

Thanks! As far as where to stay in Provence, should we pick a home base and do day trips around the area or stay in different cities throughout the week? What cities in Provence would you recommend? We would love to eat/drink, wine tastings/vineyards, hiking, beach, etc.

7

What cities in Provence - make your choice: http://www.provenceweb.fr/e/villes.htm

8

I've seen a list of the cities/towns/villages in Provence, but the information is overwhelming. I'm pretty sure we wouldn't want to stay in one of the larger cities, but am conflicted on towns or villages. I'm looking for a recommendation of what might be best for a home base. Most importantly, whether we should stay in one place or more? We will be there for a week.

Edited by: MSickles307

Edited by: MSickles307

9

Great!
Have you had a look on a map from this region? For what you are looking for in each place (City, town and village) you can eat and dring as locals do each day for thousand of years now. There is made the Côte de Provence and it is a wine country, a big one. Tasting is not a problem you can do it nearly in each wineyard.
What now will be the "best" place/homebase for you to stay - really I have no idea. If you need to be on the beach I suppose in such a case near the waterfront would be very comfortable. If you stay for a week in one place and you will do day trips from there than maybe a little bit more inland is better and a question if you have a car. Local transportation in the backland is not very helpfull and not very developped.
To give you better information can you please tell in which department you thing to go?

10

I had not yet seen a map of the Departments. That was a very helpful suggestion to get me focused! I read up on each area and for beach going, we would probably prefer Alpes Maritimes given the beautiful scenery with the Alps. Alpes De Haute Provence seems like it could be good for hiking. Vaucluse and Drome Provencale also sounds beautiful. It looks like Alpes De Haute Provence is most central to these Departments. What towns/villages are there that would not be too busy and touristy, but still have restaurants and cafes where we won't need to drive within the area. We will probably have a car, but if we want to have some wine at dinner, a close restaurant would be preferred :) Thanks!

11

Alpes de haute Provence only looks like to have a central situation. There you are far from the rest of the world but near to Italy. The southern part from this is the northern part of Alpes-Maritimes and you need by car or bus or train between 60/90 minutes to go to the coast - to Nice. Good places are the villages of Beuil, Guillaumes, Entreveaux without many tourists in your time - beside camping cars and mobilhomes coming from the NL but just passing by.

Alpes-Maritimes, especially the coast line - the Côte d'Azur - is in the secoand half of May crowded, expensive and overbooked. The high season starts also in your time with the big events like the Filmfestival in Cannes and the F1 race in Monaco. Nice places and not so far from the coast are Valbonne, Opio, Vence or in the surrounding of Nice: Colomar, Aspremont.

The departement Var has pretty villages inside the Esterel and Maures massifs as there are Plan de la Tour, La Garde-Freinnet or nearer to the coast the village of Grimaud. Very nice part for hiking too and about 30 minutes to the beach or one hour to St. Tropez. The western part near the departement Bouche du Rhone and always inside the Provence any little village is typical, nice and without hordes of tourits.

Use Google for all other question and information about any place. Go to the site 'comitee regional du toruisme PACA'

12

Thanks so much for the feedback! I will look into these towns and villages and see what would be of interest to us.

13

Thanks for the help! We've decided to spend 6 nights in Paris, then take the TGV down to Provence and spend 3 nights in Lourmarin, 3 in Cannes (we loved Ste. Maxime, but couldn't find a hotel we liked), then 2 in Cassis. Looking forward to the trip!!!